Community Events

The Cristo Rey Community Center held their first 5k Walk/Run in Old Town using the Cesar Chavez Plaza as the base for the fundraiser. 80 people came out to raise money for the Center’s Youth and Senior Programs. Overall winners were Cruz Martinez and Alyssa Terzo as gorgeous weather greeted the inaugural. Major Sponsors were Jackson National Life, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Kohl’s, and MSU Federal Credit Union. George Alvarado coordinated the event with plenty of support from the staff at Playmakers of Okemos. Besides the Center’s well known Health Clinic which includes bilingual staff, the Center provides many activities for youth and seniors alike year round. With new Executive Director Jose Lopez and a entirely new Board of Directors that has many faces seen often around the community, the Center looks to become more active in Lansing. For more information about Cristo Rey Community Center and the many programs it offers please call 372-4700.

In what has become a yearly tradition for the Latino community since the late 1970s, the Chicano Latino Advisory Committee (CLAC) honored Latino students with their very own ceremony at Pattengill Academy. On Wednesday, May 8, 2013 about 123 students were honored for their upcoming Graduation from the Lansing School District (LSD) with an estimated crowd of 250 in attendance. On hand for the keynote was Elena Herrada who sits on the Detroit Public School Board along with several LSD staff and School Board members. Four scholarships valued at $500 each were awarded and thanks to a partnership with Olivet College, one valued over $80,000 was handed out for the eleventh time since June of 2008. With Nellie Ruperto entertaining everyone with her wonderful voice, Graduates from Everett, Eastern, Sexton and the Advance Path Academy were honored for their commitment to education with many of them heading towards higher education. On hand presenting the Olivet Scholarship to Everett Grad Cindy Espinosa-Gonzalez was Lansing School District Superintendent Yvonne Caamal Canul who also happens to be an Olivet Grad herself. The CLAC meets monthly during the school year and has been a resource for parents and students since 1970. Co-Chairs for the year were Melina Lerma and Barb Gonzales.

The Bread House Bilingual Ministry hosted the 7th Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration Sunday May 5th, 2013. In what has become a festive place to take the family. Filled with entertainment, food, games, snow cones, inflatables for the kids, a crowd of over 2500 people came together as everything was provided free of charge. Chairperson Tammy Gonzales led (with plenty of volunteer help) this years version of the Celebration as the Church has chosen this event as one of the many ways it gives back to the community. Pastor Victor Trevino and First Lady Elizabeth Trevino have led the Bread House Bilingual Ministry since its beginning in June of 2004 and holds services on Sunday’s at 11:15am and Wednesday’s at 7:15pm at 1518 S. Washington Ave. which is at the corner of Baker St. and Washington Ave.

Eighteen participants completed a 12-week intensive TECH en la Casa computer course (Computer Basics I or Computer Basics II). We are very proud of these TECH students! There will be a Graduation/Clausura to celebrate their accomplishments on Monday, April 22 @ Michigan State University/Brody Hall Cafeteria Special Dining Room. Family members and guests will be present to applaud their hard work and dedication.

Much respect and thank you to these folks who put in countless hours on Election Day 2012. That doesn’t include the countless hours spent preparing leading up to Election Day. And to even try to track the days, weeks and months they put in well before this? Truly inspiring! They definitely added value to the Democratic Party and Team Obama!